If you're over the acrylic nail trend and you want to get back to varnish, you'll need to find a reliable way to remove it. Whether in a bottle or as a sponge, pen or set of pads, the best formulas swiftly erase your regular, glitter or gel polish so you can start afresh with a brand new design. In this guide, we will help you decide whether to go for an option with or without acetone, and we'll finish off by listing the top nail varnish removers on the UK market.
From trusty sites such as Amazon and Boots, we have sourced the most popular products from brands like Cutex, Nails Inc and OPI. Moreover, we have partnered with Makeup Artist Marie Dancer for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top Nail Polish Removers
Karma Naturals
A Sweet Scented Product for Sensitive Skin or Brittle Nails
As a professional make-up artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all her clients she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
As a professional makeup artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK, working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all of her clients, she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
Find out more about Marie and what are her favourite makeup products are through her Instagram! She even shares some industry tips on makeup application too. And if you're interested in getting your makeup done by Marie, you can contact her via her email found at the top of her page.
Bottles of nail polish remover are the classic option and they're also the most popular. This is due to their impressive value for money, with a large volume of formula at a low cost. They're great for people who like to update their nails on the regular without spending too much money on equipment.
If you're short on time, you can use a pre-soaked pad. These provide more of a mess-free experience and you get the perfect amount of product every time. Sold in small tubs, they are easily accessible and don't require any preparation.
Like anything based on convenience, they do tend to be more expensive. Also, pre-soaked pads are ideal if you're travelling or don't paint your nails very often, as you won't waste any product.
A polish remover pot is a modern answer to the nail polish removal process. The design works by fully enveloping the nail and fingertip into a sponge soaked with formula. This method is rapid, effective, and super convenient as it involves practically no mess or waste. This makes it more eco-friendly as you are removing additional tools and single-use cotton pads.
Watch out If you have sensitive or chapped hands as you may feel a sting - try covering these areas in vaseline to act as a barrier. For better precision, look to a nail polish pen. These are long, durable sponges shaped like a pen tip and encased in a small plastic tube.
A pen-shaped nail polish remover is ideal for touching up during or after the manicure. If you struggle to keep within the lines, you can easily remove mistakes for a neat mani. This can slip in your bag making it easy for travelling, but you don't get as much product in versus a liquid.
Set a good foundation with our Best Base Coat Nail Polishes!
Let's talk acetone. It's the most controversial debate in the nail care industry and there are multiple arguments fighting the pros and cons. Acetone is a high-concentrate solvent that's capable of dissolving even the most durable plastic materials, which is why it's commonly used to scrape away the remains of two-week-old manicures.
It's fast and effective so you can rely on it to remove every last morsel of paint chips. That said, it's fairly aggressive and it can be harsh on sensitive skin and damaged nails. If you prefer a gentler approach that's less likely to irritate the skin and nailbeds, you should opt for an acetone-free polish remover.
After you take into account the chemicals from the polish and the acetone from the remover, there's quite a lot of damage done to your nails in the process of a weekly manicure. To enhance the health of your nails and give them some well-needed TLC, look to vitamins E and B5 (panthenol) for a splash of nourishing hydration.
These vitamins can provide a barrier on your nail bed to ensure that they grow back stronger and quicker. For brittle nails that have seen more than the odd manicure or two, using removers with vitamins, plant oils and strengthening silk and collagen will boost cell growth and speed the metabolism of protein-building amino acids for stronger, healthier nails.
Remember to use cuticle oil and skincare rich hand creams to counterbalance the effects of chemical usage. Hand masks are available which will provide an overnight treatment to restore your skin against the effects of constant daily wear and nail polish removal.
Return your hands to their former glory with our Best Treatments for Damaged Nails!
The worst part of a manicure is the smell, without a doubt. To mask the chemical stench and make the experience less abrasive for your nose, you can try acetone-free formulas as they tend to have a less chemically smell than those that contain the substance. Make sure you're in a well-ventilated area when removing your nail varnish as it can affect those that are sensitive.
Modern-day formulas are non-toxic so they won't cause any harm, but a scented option will make your pamper evening slightly more pleasant. The most popular fragrances used in nail care have fruity notes; apricot oil is a common addition and has the added benefit of being rich in vitamins A and E.
We've also found a few products with a more exotic twist to them, such as coconut and peach. You can check out our specifications table at the bottom to compare the different scents and find your favourite product.
Add a little sparkle with our Best Glitter Nail Polishes!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Elegant Touch Nail Polish Remover Pads | ![]() | Quick, Effective and Mess-Free | |
2 | Nails Inc Nail Polish Remover Pot | ![]() | Two In One: Clean and Nourish the Nail | |
3 | Cutex Strength-Shield Nail Polish Remover | ![]() | Shield Your Nails With Strengthening Proteins | |
4 | Karma Naturals Nail Polish Remover with Orange Blossom | ![]() | A Sweet Scented Product for Sensitive Skin or Brittle Nails | |
5 | Dior Dissolvant Abricot Gentle Polish Remover | ![]() | A Fancy Finish to a Glam Manicure | |
6 | Sally Hansen Regular Nail Polish Remover | ![]() | Super Strong and Heavily Hydrating | |
7 | OPI Corrector Pen | ![]() | A Sleek, Refillable Corrector Pen | |
8 | Cutex Twist & Scrub Sponge Remover Jar | ![]() | A Pot of Powerful Polish Remover | |
9 | JESSICA Nail Polish Remover | ![]() | A Very Popular Choice for Bulk Buyers | |
10 | Essence Nail Polish Corrector Pen | ![]() | A Handy Tool That's Great for Travelling |
As you can tell from the name of the brand, these pads are soft and gentle on the skin thanks to their acetone-free base. Inside the small, travel-friendly tub, you'll find 20 individually soaked pads that are designed to remove a whole layer of polish in just one swipe.
These conditioning nail pads are super effective and reviewers have raved about the light, fruity smell. This is a fantastic all-rounder and it's only a couple of pounds – we are thrilled with this bargain!
The simple, minimalistic packaging tells us everything we need to know about this product; it's pumped full of collagen for strengthening the nails and it provides rapid results.
This easy-to-use pot is rich in nourishing ingredients for the nail bed and fingertips, promoting nail growth and enhanced cell strength. For a fuss-free manicure and healthy nails, this is one of the most efficient products you can find!
This is the typical drugstore product – it's affordable, reliable, and there's lots of it. It's one of the must-haves for any cosmetic cabinet, especially if you're wanting to strengthen your nails as this formula provides a strong shield with every application.
This acetone-based product smells fresh and fruity, not to mention that it's enriched with hydrolyzed silk, vitamin E and B5 to ensure healthy, strong nails. All you need with this bottle are some cotton pads and you'll be set for months on end.
If you're shopping with sensitivity in mind, you'll definitely appreciate everything about this user-friendly bottle of nail varnish remover. It smells like sweet orange blossom and it's completely acetone-free.
Despite this, the formula is fast-acting and strips the nail right to the surface, perfect for those stubborn thick coats. This product is particularly praised by those with brittle nails or dry skin as it's soothing and non-abrasive.
This acetone-free solution is gentle on the skin and contains a number of nail care ingredients that have been proven to improve shine and revive whiteness. It helps to prime your nails for either a fresh coat of colour or an au natural look.
For a luxurious manicure, you will love just how silky and soft this product leaves the nail bed. It's the perfect way to prepare your claws for a fresh coat to ensure a sleek, flawless finish. You only need a tiny bit to go a long way too, so you can be sure to get your money's worth.
This product is bound to become your go-to if you like an efficient, long-lasting product to rely on. With a hefty 200 ml in volume, it's no surprise that this might just be the best bargain on the list, costing just a few pounds.
Its acetone base is masked by a fruity scent for an enjoyable manicure sesh that won't burn your nostril hairs! In addition, this product is kind to the nails and cuticles, with essential nutrients like vitamin E and B5 for enhanced hydration and strength.
This pen makes it super easy to wipe up stains from your nails and to clean away drips of polish from the cuticle. It's also refillable so you can top it up when it runs out. OPI is one of the leading companies in the nail care industry, so you can be sure that you're buying from a reliable brand.
The only downside to this product is that the tips seem to be fairly rigid and scratchy. We recommend that if you have sensitive skin, you should avoid this as it could cause further irritation. Other than this, it's a super-effective polish removal pen.
This compact pot is a great addition to your bathroom drawer and thanks to its acetone-rich base, it has the ability to be used on even the thickest layers of varnish. In fact, it's probably one of the strongest options out there, so if you want a straight-up no-nonsense product, you should give this one a go.
Our only concern is the intensity of this remover. It's incredibly strong which is fantastic for stubborn polish, although potentially damaging to the nails and nailbed. Be sure to moisturise after using it to replenish the cells.
Reviewers have praised the fact that this product shows results in almost no time at all, wiping away layers of glitter polish in seconds. It's super nourishing for your nails and it's bound to last you a long time with 473 ml of formula.
This product might be a little too bulky for any standard vanity shelf, so you'll need to clear some room as it's 20 cm tall. It is available in a smaller size, though, which isn't quite as cost-effective but might be a better fit for those who are short on space.
This product scores a 10/10 for portability as it can fit in any handbag big or small, which is perfect for touching up on smudges while you're out and about. In addition, it comes with three tips to refresh the pen.
Unfortunately, research shows that this pen doesn't last for long, even with the three additional tips, as it absorbs the polish colour and quickly loses its effectiveness. However, if you want to carry an emergency solution for tidying up your nails as well as having one at home, then you shouldn't overlook this product.
Written and researched by Annie Speight
No. 1: Elegant Touch |Nail Polish Remover Pads
No. 2: Nails Inc|Nail Polish Remover Pot
No. 3: Cutex|Strength-Shield Nail Polish Remover
No. 4: Karma Naturals|Nail Polish Remover with Orange Blossom
No. 5: Dior|Dissolvant Abricot Gentle Polish Remover
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games